A proposal for converting vacant lots into container gardens by William Arens. (Illustration courtesy city of Seattle).

A proposal for converting vacant lots into container gardens by William Arens. (Illustration courtesy city of Seattle).

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A proposal for traveling film fests, complete with food booth, in an idea called "Vivi Travelling Cinema" by Ben Gist, AV Goodsell and Roman A. Pohorecki. (Rendering courtesy city of Seattle).

A proposal for traveling film fests, complete with food booth, in an idea called "Vivi Travelling Cinema" by Ben Gist, AV Goodsell and Roman A. Pohorecki. (Rendering courtesy city of Seattle).

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"Rising-Shining," a temporal light installation of illuminated helium balloons proposed by "The Handwriters." (Photo courtesy City of Seattle).

"Rising-Shining," a temporal light installation of illuminated helium balloons proposed by "The Handwriters." (Photo courtesy City of Seattle).

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"Blackboard Jungle," a proposed installation of blackboards by Doug Keith. (Drawing courtesy city of Seattle).

"Blackboard Jungle," a proposed installation of blackboards by Doug Keith. (Drawing courtesy city of Seattle).

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Instead of vacant lots, how about dodge ball, gardens, film fests?

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Instead of vacant lots blighting Seattle, how about rinks and courts for street hockey, dodge ball, bike polo and soccer? Or spaces for verdant container gardens and traveling film fests, or for such ephemeral art installations as illuminated helium balloons?

Those ideas came from finalists announced Wednesday in a citywide solicitation for what to do with the many empty, fenced-off eyesores marring Seattle.

He said the Commission will now try to get finalists together with property owners and city staffers "to find out how we move these projects forward." Some of the projects may need a permit, and some may need to wait for a decision on proposed legislation on vacant lots, he said.

Graffiti canvases in Interbay, Ballard and Belltown. "We mount large metal panels as canvases, provide paint and go at it," wrote artist John Fleming. After leaving the panels up a while, he suggested "slicing and dicing" them to re-install them for new art.

Mini-film festivals, with mobile food booths and movie equipment for Pioneer Square and Capitol Hill, proposed by Ben Gist, AV Goodsell and Roman A. Pohorecki. Dubbed their idea the "Vivi Traveling Cinema," they described it as a way to "fill "Seattle's empty lots with neighbors, fun, food, and showcase local, independent film during long summer nights."

Helium balloons, arranged in nets and illuminated with low-energy lights, for a transportable, easily rearranged art. Proposed for Ballard and Queen Anne by a group called "The Handwriters," the idea was described as: "It lasts for a single evening, a week, or until the balloons deflate."